Definitions

 “Nature cure” has been identified in the USA since the early 1900’s. These were individuals passionate about helping people with ailments using simple and readily available natural remedy resources. However, in the mid 1900’s these individuals were scrutinized and prosecuted by the medical community for practicing medicine without a license. It was Benedict Lust who coined, “Naturopathy as a distinct school of healing, employing the beneficent agency of nature’s forces, of water, air, sunlight, earth power, electricity, magnetism, exercise, rest, proper diet, various kinds of mechanical treatment, and mental and moral science” (Nature Doctors Pioneers in Naturopathic Medicine, Kirchfeld & Boyle, 2005). The definition of naturopathy was brought to the US Congress and passed in 1931 identifying that individuals who practiced naturopathy were not practicing medicine or surgery without a license. Additionally, Dr. J.E. Cummings defined naturopathy as the “science, art, and philosophy of adjusting the framework, correcting the mental influences, and supplying the body with its needed elements” (Naturopathy for the 21st Century, Thiel, 2019).  

 The term naturopath is understood by the public as an individual who practices natural

healing modalities. But, the practitioner who is unlicensed does not perform high risk procedures and prescribe drugs. Yet, there are other practitioners who are licensed that use invasive high-risk procedures such as surgeries and pharmaceutical drugs also diagnose and name diseases or injuries. Unfortunately, today this term has caused the public much confusion because of the melding or overlapping of ideologies and philosophies. 

Are unlicensed health practitioners who have learned how indigenous medicine endeavors to restore health through self-regulation or homeostasis respecting each facet of the individual’s mind, body, spirit, and emotions while recognizing physical inheritance, age, lifestyle, and diet. The DNM uses nutrition, herbals, water, light, sound, and other non-invasive modalities. They do not use drugs, perform surgeries, or perform high risk procedures. They do not have prescriptive privileges, diagnose, or name diseases. 

Doctors of Natural Medicine advise their clients to seek licensed medical professionals who provide such services. Additionally, education of other cultures throughout the world are studied to understand traditional natural doctors. The Doctor of Natural Medicine education is oriented to the philosophy of Native American Medicine emphasizing spiritual principles and teachings. The doctors of natural medicine have been established and recognized in over 144 countries. 

 Are taught principles based on the Creator as a Divine Being of Absolute Energy. These principles are a system which teaches that all Creatures including humans are spirit beings of life energy or bioenergy.  These energies can become imbalanced and must be restored to natural energetic balance to fulfill their spiritual calling and purpose. 

Graduates of an accredited educational institution with a DNM or BD, become board certified through the American Naturopathic Medical Association Certifying Board or the American Naturopathic Certifying Board.

Many who have graduated with a DNM and BD have also graduated with a Doctor of Sacred Medicine (DSM) conferring ordination by the First Nation Church and Sacred Way First Nations Assemblies or other recognized Native American spiritual bodies. 

Traditional Native American (NAM) teachers and practitioners respect all manifestations of religion. They believe that the Creator has inspired many different religions. Even today, many traditional Indians often practice more than one form of religious expression. Thus, all forms of

life; birds, fish, plants, and animals are often referred to as “relations”. Natural doctors

have used herbal medicines for thousands of years and believe herbs have a spirit and

intelligence integrating them in their healing systems. Thus, NAM is a system of healing as all ancient religions were.  A major premise of NAM is that all life is intelligently created by the Creator. The Creator of life, energy, and intelligence through spirit, attends to creation and is the ground of its existence.

Excerpted from The Institute of Bioenergetic Medicine Student Handbook (IBEM, 2024) and from the Institute of Bioenergetic Medicine. www.ibemcollege.org 

Are taught nature cure remedies and modalities. These are unlicensed practitioners who do not perform invasive procedures, do not diagnose disease or injuries. There are various schools throughout the US. Some states have restricted individuals from calling themselves Naturopathic Doctors unless they graduated from certain medically oriented naturopathic schools. Many NDs started calling themselves traditional or classical to separate themselves from the medical NDs and Natural Medical Doctors.

Their board certifications are from The American Naturopathic Medical Association Certifying Board or The American Naturopathic Certifying Board. Traditional medicine must abide by protocols that are dictated by their professional agencies and associations. To work outside the scope of practice is not considered acceptable by the defined boards. 

Attend medically oriented schools learning invasive procedures such as surgeries, prescribing drug therapies, perform x-rays, administer injections, diagnose, and name diseases, and injuries. They espouse natural cures but incorporate conventional medical practices. They are licensed or registered in many states. Their degrees indicate Naturopathic Physician. Their licensing certification is through the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX). They are mainly recognized in the United States and parts of Canada.  

 Medical doctors who attended medical school, are licensed to practice medicine. They practice natural medicine using a whole-body integrative approach in conjunction with primary health care. Holistic medicine does not replace medical care.